2024 News Corp Australia Car of the Year finalists revealed
A drive in this crowd favourite is said to be akin to a ‘celebrity encounter’ and it might just be Australia’s best car.
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This is our most diverse field of Car of the Year finalists yet. The nine cars representing the best of 2024 cover several bases. Petrol, diesel, electric, hybrid and plug-in hybrid power are represented, as are utes, sedans, four-wheel-drives, coupes, convertibles and family SUVs.
It’s not easy to choose a handful of finalists that represent the cream of the crop – and to whittle those down to one outstanding winner.
Judges with decades of experience will put the field through their paces, examining the cars according to five key criteria: value for money, performance, design, safety and technology.
We’ll test the finalists on the highway, country roads and suburban lanes, examining them inside and out to find highlights and flaws.
The 2024 News Corp Australia Car of the Year will be revealed on Friday, December 13.
BYD Sealion 6
Thus plug-in hybrid family SUV promises to blend the green appeal of an electric car with the convenience of a petrol vehicle. Generously equipped, competitively priced and technically intriguing, the BYD Sealion 6 could go the distance.
BYD Shark 6
Australia’s first hybrid-powered ute is a cracker. Powerful motors, a long features list and razor-sharp prices have put it on the shortlist for thousands of Aussie drivers. Can the BYD Shark 6 become the first ute to win our annual prize?
Ford Mustang GT
At the other end of the spectrum, Ford’s Mustang GT is not particularly practical, thrifty or innovative. But its style, sound and classic appeal have won the hearts – and wallets – of many Aussie motorists. Could this be the last hurrah for V8-powered muscle cars?
Hyundai Ioniq 5 N
This high-performance EV promises to deliver driving thrills unlike any other battery-powered car on the road. The Hyundai Ioniq 5 N isn’t just fast, it’s really fun to drive – and it brings genuine innovation to justify its high price.
Hyundai Santa Fe
The Hyundai Santa Fe defeated Kia’s Sorento and the Toyota Kluger to win our family SUV shootout earlier this year. Spacious, thoughtfully designed and surprisingly efficient, the Hyundai Santa Fe has the potential to go after overall honours.
Kia EV5
The latest in a long line of truly outstanding electric vehicles by the Korean automaker, the Kia EV5 shapes up as a genuine alternative to Tesla’s Model Y with a modern cabin, comfortable drive experience and sharp prices.
MG Cyberster
Australia’s first electric convertible combines showstopping looks with supercar performance and an eerily silent soundtrack. Built to transform MG brand perceptions, the Cyberster has the potential to win against the odds.
Toyota Camry
As one of the most familiar sights on Australian roads, Toyota’s Camry Hybrid needs little introduction. There are strong reasons behind its ubiquity – it’s affordable, efficient, dependable and surprisingly fun to drive.
Toyota Prado
Rugged looks, go-anywhere ability and a proven track record make the Toyota Prado a sought-after machine for Aussie adventurers. The latest model is one of the most anticipated cars of 2024.
Near Misses
Impressive cars missed the cut for a variety of reasons.
The affordable and adorable MG3 and Suzuki Swift fell short on safety grounds, GWM’s Tank 500 and the MG HS impress on paper but not on the road, and exotics such as the Ferrari 296 GTS or Porsche Taycan GT are sublime to drive, but too expensive to be truly relevant.
Special editions or mildly updated models including the Ford Ranger Tremor weren’t new enough to get a Guernsey, while others such as the Toyota BZ4x electric car or Fiat Abarth 500e simply weren’t good enough.
Judging criteria
Value for money: Pricing, equipment, running costs, capped servicing, warranty, service intervals, resale and material quality.
Performance: How the car accelerates, stops, shifts gears, corners and soaks up bumps. Also refinement and fuel efficiency.
Design: Leg and headroom, ergonomics, comfort and vision.
Technology: Connectivity, ease of navigating screens etc.
Safety: Physical crash rating and active safety aids.
Judges
Danielle Collis, Iain Curry, Toby Hagon, Jules Lucht, David McCowen, Mark Short.
Photography by Thomas Wielecki and logistics assistance by Craig Reasbeck.
Originally published as 2024 News Corp Australia Car of the Year finalists revealed
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